CRIM 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Gary Becker, Jeremy Bentham, Social Control
2 Jun 2013
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Document Summary
Member of the classical school of criminology. People were rational and exercised free will. Would employ a hedonistic calculus in deciding whether a certain action was more likely to result in pleasure than in pain. Social control and rational choice theories say there is nothing unique about criminal behavior, and that motivation to engage in such behavior is quite widespread. Instead of asking why certain individuals commit crimes, social control and rational choice theorists ask why more individuals don"t commit crimes. Notion underlying all types of control theory is that conformity cannot be taken for granted. If you want conformity and social control, you need effective socialization. If people don"t learn/internalize social conventions or norms, then social controls will break down or become ineffective. Inner containment= self control, good self- image, ability to tolerate frustration. Outer containment= family values institutional reinforcement, effective supervision. External pushes = poverty, unemployment, the media, or delinquent friends.
